From firearms-alert-owner Tue May 3 08:11:18 1994 Received: from localhost (chan@localhost) by jobe.shell.portal.com (8.6.4/8.6.5) id IAA08293 for firearms-alert-outgoing; Tue, 3 May 1994 08:10:30 -0700 Received: from nova.unix.portal.com (nova.unix.portal.com [156.151.1.101]) by jobe.shell.portal.com (8.6.4/8.6.5) with ESMTP id IAA08286 for ; Tue, 3 May 1994 08:10:29 -0700 Received: from gatekeeper.nra.org (gatekeeper.nra.org [192.231.143.12]) by nova.unix.portal.com (8.6.7/8.6.5) with SMTP id IAA07599 for ; Tue, 3 May 1994 08:10:19 -0700 Received: by gatekeeper.nra.org (5.65/DEC-Ultrix/4.3) id AA22270; Tue, 3 May 1994 11:08:51 -0400 Date: Tue, 3 May 1994 11:08:51 -0400 Message-Id: <9405031508.AA22270@gatekeeper.nra.org> Reply-To: alerts@gatekeeper.nra.org Originator: press-release@nra.org From: alerts@gatekeeper.nra.org (NRA Alerts) To: firearms-alert@shell.portal.com Subject: NRA TO PRESENT NATIONAL CHILD GUN SAFETY PROGRAM X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Comment: NRA Press Releases Sender: firearms-alert-owner@shell.portal.com Precedence: bulk Status: RO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 1994 NRA TO PRESENT NATIONAL CHILD GUN SAFETY PROGRAM TO CHESAPEAKE AREA SCHOOLS MAY 2-6 AS PART OF STATEWIDE TOUR FAIRFAX, VA -- The National Rifle Association of America will present the NRA Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program for children at assemblies throughout Chesapeake, VA, May 2-6, as it prepares to launch a statewide tour in conjunction with National SAFE KIDS Week later this month. (A Chesapeake area schedule follows.) In its fifth year, the program promotes gun accident prevention for children in pre-K through sixth grade by teaching them a simple safety message so they know what to do should they come upon an unsecured firearm: "Stop! Don't touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult." The program uses a friendly eagle as a safety mascot to reinforce this lifesaving message and teach children that guns are not toys. With Department of Justice data indicating there are over 200 million firearms in the United States and guns present in 50% of households, it is imperative that all children learn what to do should they come upon a gun. To address this need, in 1987 NRA tasked a team of firearm safety experts, teachers, curriculum specialists, urban housing safety officials and clinical psychologists to develop an effective, non-political program, with materials to be provided at no charge by NRA. Pilot program materials were produced in 1988 for three specific age groups: Level 1: Pre-school - Grade 1; Level 2: Grades 2-3; and Level 3: Grades 4-6. In 1993, third and final generation materials began distribution, including workbooks, posters, stickers, letters to parents, an animated video starring Eddie Eagle and Jason Priestley of Beverly Hills 90210, and an instructor training video. To facilitate community outreach, NRA also produced materials in Spanish. In October of that year, program creator and NRA second vice president Marion Hammer received the National Safety Council's 1993 Citation for Outstanding Community Service for leadership in program development. The program has also received commen dation from the American Legion's National Committee on Education, is endorsed by the Police Athletic League and is used by numerous organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. To date Eddie Eagle has reached over 5.2 million children through more than 1,400 law enforcement agencies and 5,000 independent schools. Over 1.4 million children were reached in the 1993 school year alone. Eddie Eagle has led to a heightened awareness and grassroots support for a national child gun safety program. Schools, law enforcement agencies and civic groups interested in the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program can contact the Eddie Eagle Department at 1-800-231-0752 for further information. -nra- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, Contact: Karen Mehall 703-267-3820 Monday, May 2 Thursday, May 5 8:15 a.m. - Southwestern 8:15 a.m. - Greenbriar Primary 9 a.m. - " " 9 a.m. - " " 10 a.m. - Park: Grades 1-2 11 a.m. - " " 1 p.m. - Butts Road Primary Tuesday, May 3 Friday, May 6 8:30 a.m. - Norfolk Highlands 8:15 a.m. - WBI: Grades 4-6 9:45 a.m. - Butts Road Primary 9 a.m. - " " 12:30 p.m. - Norfolk Highlands 12:30 p.m. - Crestwood I 1:15 p.m. - " " Wednesday, May 4 8:15 a.m. - Greenbriar I 9 a.m. - " " 10 a.m. - Park: Grades 3-4 -- This information is presented as a service to the Internet community by the NRA/ILA. Many files are available via anonymous ftp from ftp.nra.org Be sure to subscribe to rkba-alert by sending: subscribe rkba-alert Your Full Name as the body of a message to rkba-alert-request@NRA.org Information can also be obtained by connecting to the NRA-ILA GUN-TALK BBS at (703) 719-6406.